Shreves Philatelic Galleries, Inc. Sale

To see new sales and other StampAuctionNetwork news in your Facebook newsfeed then Like us on Facebook!

StampAuctionNetwork Extended Features

1908-1909 WASHINGTON-FRANKLIN ISSUES

Lot

Symbol

CatNo.

Lot Description

CV or Estimate

332

#332, 2c Carmine, vertical strip of four (natural s.e at right), December 3, 1908 earliest documented usage of this 2c value paying the 8c registry fee on a 2c Carmine on white entire (#U411), strip is tied by St. Paul, Minn. Commercial Sta. machine cancel and light ovals, plus attractive four line magenta registry pmk. of that city on Dec. 4th., backstamped Walla Walla, Washington on Dec. 8th, very fine; any cover used in 1908 is of the greatest rarity and this being within a few days of the attributed issuance date; 2000 APS certificate. (Image)

Est. 1,000-1,500

SOLD for $850.00
Will close during Public Auction

332 var.

#332 var., 2c Carmine, foreign entry, design of the 1c, a marvelously fresh example of this striking double re-entry error which resulted from using the transfer roll of the 1c by mistake on the top left pane of 2c plate 5299, position 37, fresh deep color and quite well centered, especially when compared to the few known examples, in addition tied to attractive advertising cover for the Lovejoy Company, manufacturer of Cambridge Steel Plows, October 13, 1910 earliest documented usage, the stamp being neatly and lightly canceled by Cambridge, N.Y. duplex such that the strong foreign entry lines are easily visible, cover is neat and fresh with only a few extraneous red ink marks, extremely fine.This foreign entry came about because in the process of making or revising the plate a 1c transfer roll was used to enter position 37 on this 2c plate. This is exactly the same kind of error that produced the 5c Rose error of color (#467,485, 505) on plate no. 7942. Only in this case the error was discovered and mostly burnished out. What remained was not only enough to be an obvious and major double transfer, but it was sufficient to be recognized as the 1c value, particularly in the strong hair lines which are vertical on the Franklin head and more horizontal on Washington. Because the original transfer was so inadequately removed, foreign lines show throughout the head and in the crucial value tablet that has entirely different spacing and positioning between the two values.Plate no. 5299 was used in the production of imperforates, coils and on single line watermarked paper (#344, 349, 375, 384), all of which are extremely rare. However, Scott values this first issue higher than the others implying that the foreign entry came about sometime during the production of Scott #332 and only a portion of the impressions show the variety. It is valued considerably higher as a used stamp than mint and is also listed for only this Scott number on cover, but unpriced. This usage on cover, which is undoubtedly unique, is an immensely important showpiece for the Washington-Franklin specialist, let alone the collector of the earliest documented usages and especially desirable on such a lovely cover; 2000 PF certificate. (Image)

Est. 7,500-10,000

SOLD for $7,000.00
Will close during Public Auction

337

#337, 8c Olive green, well centered single (natural s.e. at bottom) tied to a registered 2c Carmine on white entire (U411) on January 8, 1909, the earliest documented usage, the stamp is tied by a Paterson, N.J. oval with that city's magenta registry c.d.s. below, posted to Leipzig, Germany where backstamped and having on the reverse a confirming New York, Jan. 8,1909 foreign office oval, very fine and attractive; an interesting treaty rate for registered mail that made this foreign rate the same as a registered domestic cover; 2001 APS certificate. (Image)

Est. 1,000-1,500

SOLD for $750.00
Will close during Public Auction

338

#338, 10c Yellow, single franking (natural s.e. at right) tied to January 18, 1909 earliest documented usage cover by clear Providence Square, Pa. five bar duplex, backstamped Norristown, Pa. with a confirming Jan. 18, 1909 date, small edge tear at top and light vertical folds, neither affecting the stamp, fine; 2002 APS certificate. (Image)

Est. 750-1,000

SOLD for $700.00
Will close during Public Auction

339

#339, 13c Blue green, single franking (natural s.e. at left) of this scarcer value paying the foreign registry rate on cover to Italy on March 5, 1909 earliest documented usage, tied by Brynedale, Pa. four-bar cancel, New York transit oval on the reverse, backstamped Palermo, with enclosures, stamp is well centered with minor flaws, very fine; clear 2002 APS certificate. (Image)

Est. 1,000-1,500

SOLD for $900.00
Will close during Public Auction

341

#341, 50c Violet, horizontal pair along with 4c Brown (#303) and 8c Olive green vertical strip of three (#339), all tied by "Fairbanks, Alaska/ Registered/Oct. 23, 1909" double circle c.d.s. to large portion of register bank tag for a heavy package (first or fourth class mail being almost certainly a gold shipment tag), this being the earliest documented usage of the scarce 50c Violet, posted to the National Bank of Commerce in Seattle, Washington, flaws to stamps as is usually found on parcel tags, fine and impressive franking; 2003 APS certificate. (Image)

Est. 750-1,000

SOLD for $725.00
Will close during Public Auction

1909 CHINA CLAY PAPERS

Lot

Symbol

CatNo.

Lot Description

CV or Estimate

338a

#338a, 10c Yellow on experimental "China Clay" paper, single with fine centering and small corner crease at top right, tied to September 16, 1909 earliest documented usage registered cover to Randolph, Vt. by boxed "Franklin, N.H." postmark, mostly clear "Franklin, N.H./Sep 16 1909/Registered." double circle cancel in red at top left, backstamped the next day, cover has had some expert restoration of opening tears at top and toning removed at bottom, none of which affected the stamp or markings, very fine and attractive appearance.The cause, or the origin, of the "China Clay" papers is not fully known, but this long-known variety can be identified by its characteristic grayish blue paper that is distinct and separate from the bluish papers that are due to their high rag content. Thus they have been recognized by the Scott Catalog and the Philatelic Foundation has been able to certify this variety. All of the values to the 15c are known and are exceptionally rare. Martin A. Armstrong in his book on the Washington-Franklins 1908-1921 states "On a scale of rarity they exceed the Bluish unquestionably.""China Clay" papers on cover are extreme rarities, as a total of only nineteen covers of all of the denominations have been certified as genuine by the Philatelic Foundation, this being only one of three recorded covers with the Ten Cent value. A highly important cover of the 20th century for both its earliest documented usage status, as well as for its incredible rarity. Accompanied by an article by Alan Berkun detailing all of the known "China Clay" paper covers; 1991 PF certificate. (Image)

Est. 7,500-10,000

SOLD for $8,500.00
Will close during Public Auction

340a

#340a, 15c Ultramarine on experimental "China Clay" paper, a marvelously choice single, possessing excellent centering, attractive color on distinctive grayish paper, neatly tied to clean special delivery cover by "Washington, D.C./Mar. 12, 1909" machine cancel, this date being the earliest documented usage of the 15c Ultramarine on experimental "China Clay" paper, as well as earliest documented usage of any Fifteen Cent Washington stamp of 1908-09, the date is confirmed by a light violet "Fee Clamed" c.d.s. at top left and the clock special delivery c.d.s. on the reverse, to Tokoma Park, D.C., extremely fine.The 15c value of this variety is interesting because of the similarity of the color of the stamp with the color of the paper. R.H. White in his work on the "China Clay" papers comments on the peculiarities of distinguishing this and some of the other values with blue colors because of this characteristic. In terms of appearance this value in particular demonstrates how the paper complements the color and makes for an especially pretty pastel color. "China Clay" papers on cover are extreme rarities, as a total of only nineteen covers of all of the denominations have been certified as genuine by the Philatelic Foundation, this being only one of three recorded covers with the Fifteen Cent value. A great 20th century rarity that is matched by its magnificent condition. In addition to its unique status as the earliest documented usage, it is the finest known example on cover. Accompanied by an article by Alan Berkun detailing all of the known "China Clay" paper covers; 1992 PF certificate. (Image)

Est. 7,500-10,000

SOLD for $8,500.00
Will close during Public Auction

1908-1909 WASHINGTON-FRANKLIN IMPERFORATES

Lot

Symbol

CatNo.

Lot Description

CV or Estimate

344

#344, 2c Carmine imperforate, a four-margined single on an amazingly early cover, deep color and sharp impression of the early printings, tied to December 7, 1908 earliest documented usage cover by Norwich, N.Y. machine cancel, the cancel is well printed showing a crystal clear date for month, day and year, in addition the Dec. 9, 1908 New Hamburg, N.Y. backstamp confirms this date as well, cover with unobtrusive vertical fold not affecting the stamp or markings, very fine; 1908 covers are legendary in the first Washington-Franklin issue as most values were issued in December of 1908 or later, Johl lists the issuance date of this imperforate value as December 10th which certainly makes this cover a candidate for being a first day cover on the earliest possible date, in addition it is the only 1908 cover known of this value and the earliest documented usage of any of the 1908-09 Imperforates; 2000 APS certificate. (Image)

Est. 3,000-4,000

SOLD for $3,250.00
Will close during Public Auction

346

#346, 4c Orange brown imperforate, attractive top margin partial arrow vertical pair, fresh and well margined with bright color, March 13. 1909 earliest documented usage being tied to neat cover by Washington, D.C. duplex, posted to Takoma Park, D.C, a handsome and extremely fine cover used very close to its believed issue date of February 25,1909; 2003 APS certificate; ex-Wagner. (Image)

Est. 1,000-1,500

SOLD for $800.00
Will close during Public Auction

1908-1910 IMPERFORATE COILS

Lot

Symbol

CatNo.

Lot Description

CV or Estimate

343V

#343V, 1c Green imperforate coil, vertical format, tied to lovely and unusual cover, being a large size Christmas card envelope in green that is almost identical to color of the stamp, petite green and red printed holly border, the stamp is unquestionably a vertical format imperforate coil as it was applied by a Simplex plunger-style affixing device that miscut it through the top labels and having the top portion of the stamp below, furthermore this is a most unusually determined earliest documented usage for this coil, the stamp is tied by "Philadelphia, Pa/1909" machine cancel with no month or day designation as is usual on printed matter, yet it can be determined to be the earliest documented usage as there are no other covers known used as early as 1909, very fine and an attractive favorite of the collector; 2004 APS certificate. (Image)

Est. 1,000-1,500

SOLD for $900.00
Will close during Public Auction

344V

#344V, 2c Carmine imperforate coil, vertical format, bottom paste-up single firmly establishing this as an imperforate coil, October 13, 1909 earliest documented usage, tied to exceptionally clean cover of the Stephen Ballard Rubber Co. by clear New York, N.Y. machine cancel, very fine and attractive cover; 2002 APS certificate. (Image)

Est. 1,000-1,500

SOLD for $800.00
Will close during Public Auction

344H

#344H, 2c Carmine imperforate coil, horizontal format, a remarkably interesting and exceedingly rare cover bearing a single of this scarce imperforate coil, stamp is fresh with bright color, side margins are cut at a slight bias from a government vending machine, March 23, 1909 earliest documented usage, additionally the stamp is tied by "Chi. & N. Clark St. R.P.O, Chi. Ill" duplex handstamp streetcar cancel, this cancel makes it conceivably a first day of issue cover, or very nearly so, since the government vending machine was tested in the stations of this trolley line and broke down after the first two hours, this date is over two weeks prior to the only other cover bearing this value, which was also cancelled on this streetcar line, to date only two covers are known to exist with the horizontal format imperforate coil, backstamped Tacoma, Washington on Mar. 26th, very fine; a cover that is virtually unavailable for years at a time and a must for anyone building a specialized collection of the Washington-Franklin issues; listed but unpriced on cover in Scott; 1999 APS certificate. (Image)

Est. 4,000-5,000

SOLD for $3,500.00
Will close during Public Auction

346V

#346V, 4c Orange brown imperforate coil, vertical format, single with vertical guide line at left paying the double letter rate, tied to attractive appearing front and back advertising cover for the Pittsburgh Steel Co. with illustration of fence holding an elephant, February 18, 1911 earliest documented usage, stamp is tied by full well applied Pittsburg, Pa. machine cancel, backstamped Junction, Texas on Feb. 22nd, includes interesting and thick seven item advertising enclosure, which explains why the cover had to be expertly restored, affecting neither the stamp or the cancellation, very fine appearance; only four covers with this scarce imperforate coil are recorded, all from this same firm. (Image)

Est. 1,500-2,000

SOLD for $1,250.00
Will close during Public Auction

347V

#347V, 5c Blue imperforate coil, vertical format, two singles applied by the Simplex affixing machine using vertical imperforate coils, tied to 2c Carmine on blue entire (#U414), registered to Gotha, Germany, stamps tied by New York registry ovals, posted on July 24, 1911 being the previously recognized earliest documented usage (mistakenly listed as July 25,1911), various New York pmks. and U.S. Sea Post on the reverse, backstamped, very fine; despite losing its earliest documented usage status this is a very rare cover with only three or four covers known with the imperforate coil franking; stamps are listed but not priced either used or on cover in Scott; 2003 APS certificate as earliest documented usage of 7/25/1911. (Image)

Est. 500-750

SOLD for $450.00
Will close during Public Auction

1908-1910 WASHINGTON-FRANKLIN COILS

Lot

Symbol

CatNo.

Lot Description

CV or Estimate

348

#348, 1c Green coil, perf. 12 horiz., single showing guide line at left, nibbed perforations at top from being affixed close to edge of New York multicolor view card, January 25, 1909 earliest documented usage with stamp tied by New York machine cancel, nearly very fine; a much scarcer coil to find on card than one would suspect, let alone its unique status as the earliest documented usage; 2004 PSE certificate; ex-Siskin, Patrick Murphy. (Image)

Est. 750-1,000

SOLD for $950.00
Will close during Public Auction

349

#349, 2c Carmine coil, perf. 12 horiz., well centered single being fresh with bright color, on multicolor advertising cover for Macondray and Co. Japanese Tea, May 14, 1909 earliest documented usage with stamp tied by San Francisco, Cal. machine cancel, backstamped Saginaw, Michigan, some mounting scuffs to cover, mostly on the reverse and not affecting any elements of the cover, otherwise very fine; 2002 APS certificate. (Image)

Est. 1,000-1,500

SOLD for $1,150.00
Will close during Public Auction

350

#350, 4c Orange brown coil, perf. 12 horiz., incredibly scarce pair used on 2c Carmine on amber entire (#U412) along with 2c Carmine single, registered to Scranton, Pa., March 22, 1912 earliest documented usage, stamps tied with New York registry ovals plus dated ovals on the reverse, backstamped the next day, slight toning affecting a few perf. tips, otherwise very fine; all used coils of this early period are scarce particularly in any of the multiples, to have a pair used on the earliest documented usage is a treasure indeed; clear 2004 APS certificate. (Image)

Est. 2,000-3,000

SOLD for $1,800.00
Will close during Public Auction

351

#351, 5c Blue coil, perf. 12 horiz., single paying the international letter rate to Buenos Ayres, Argentina, September 21, 1909 earliest documented usage with the stamp tied by clear Boston, Mass. machine flag cancel, backstamped, accompanied by three page enclosure, trivial edge flaws to the stamp and typical postal wear to cover, fine and rare; an unusual foreign destination for this particularly scarce coil usage; 1992 PF certificate; ex-Hadley. (Image)

Est. 1,500-2,000

SOLD for $2,100.00
Will close during Public Auction

353

#353, 2c Carmine coil, perf. 12 vert., well centered single on registered cover being the June 14, 1909 earliest documented usage, contained in an interesting multi-stamp franking of two 1c Green (#331), 2c Carmine (#332), scarce 1c Green coil paste-up pair (#348) and 2c Lincoln (#367), all tied by Chicago, Ill. registry ovals with an attractive violet c.d.s. of that city on the limited-use experimental Form 1549-A registry label at left, date confirmed by Auburn, Me. backstamp of June 16, 1909, very fine; a clean and attractive cover well suited to exhibition; 2001 APS certificate. (Image)

Est. 1,000-1,500

SOLD for $1,050.00
Will close during Public Auction

Washington-Franklin Earliest Documented Usages